If you are just now meeting Mouse from Mouse’s Christmas Gift, you may be interested in some fun posts from the past. Check out these links to read more!
Well, I hope you enjoyed this walk down memory lane! It’s hard to believe that I wrote my first post about Mouse in 2015! So many lessons learned along this crazy path to publication. Thanks for visiting my blog and reading!
One of the best things about writing has been the friendships that I have made along my journey. Several years ago, I met Cindy through a SCBWI critique group. She is amazing! I really admire and respect her writing, and deeply value her thoughts and comments on my developing manuscripts. I invited her to stop in for an interview. I think you will LOVE her thoughtful answers to my questions.
1. Cindy, thanks for joining us! My first question is about ideas. As a non-fiction picture book writer, where do you get your ideas and inspiration?
So many places! Ideas really are everywhere. Often, I get ideas from what I’m reading. One of my current works-in-progress stemmed from a single sentence in an article in Smithsonian magazine. It mentioned a woman from Indiana whom I’d never heard of before. My curiosity led me to investigate, and I was excited about what I discovered, so I’m writing about it! Another picture book idea came from a speech given by a NASA administrator who was visiting my college. She mentioned a woman with a fascinating past whom I decided to write about. Other times, I draw inspiration from what I see in the natural world. I love to take walks without my phone or any other device and simply watch all the activity humming around me—the trees, wind, clouds, and animals. Probably the other main source of ideas for me is my memory. I like to remember what I was fascinated by as a child and build on that.
2. Very interesting! Also, do you have any tips on research? How do you keep your research organized?
I’ve noticed that most nonfiction writers love research. So, one of my tips involves something I continue to work on—which is knowing when to stop doing research and start writing. Until the book is done, the research never truly ends. But I reach a point when I realize I have enough facts and historical context, as well as an emerging sense of theme and voice, to envision or “feel” what I want the book to be. At that point, it’s time to write!
I keep my research organized in computer files and paper files. There are often dozens of sources for each project’s bibliography (including books, articles, interviews, videos, etc.). I keep track of them using tools like EasyBib. As I read for research, I take notes, sometimes on paper and sometimes on my computer. When I read sources online, I print out the most important pages. I file the notes and pages by topic—I have multiple file boxes per book sometimes!
For most projects, I footnote my early drafts as I go so that I know the source of each statement or quotation. I omit the footnotes as I edit and revise, but I can always go back to a saved version of that early draft if I need to check a source.
3. Sounds like a good system to try! Also, I’m curious, was your recent book STEAM Jobs in Cypersecurity a work-for-hire project? How did you discover this opportunity? What did you enjoy about this type of project?
Steam Jobs in Cybersecurity by Cynthia Argentine
STEAM Jobs in Cybersecurity was a work-for-hire project. I’m in a few online writers groups, and one day last summer I saw a well-known author post that she had met an editor at a conference who wanted to expand her pool of authors for nonfiction books. I submitted a cover letter, resume, and writing samples to that editor right away. A year later, I received an email from the publisher asking whether I’d like to write this book. I was thrilled!
I wanted to accept this project for a couple reasons. One, I had recently read Countdown to Zero Day by Kim Zetter. I was already intrigued by the concept of cyber-war and the need for national as well as personal cybersecurity, so I was happy to research this further. Two, I have a good deal of experience writing to a specific age range and word length with the journalism I’ve done, and I was eager to apply those skills to a longer work. It’s like a puzzle, really. You have all this information and all these ideas and you have to prioritize and choose and fit them into a set number of chapters and sidebars and photo captions. I found that challenge to be fun.
4. Very fascinating! Finally, what advice do you have for authors trying to break into publication?
Persevere, and enjoy each step of the journey. One of the joys of publication is knowing that readers will actually read what you’ve spent weeks, months, or years writing. That is fulfilling. And before that happens, there is a lot of work. There will be rejections. There will be bad first drafts. There will be moments when you wonder if you should be spending your time doing something else. So what makes this worthwhile during the waiting and hoping? For me, it boils down to three things:
· The joy of discovery—being engrossed in learning deeply about what I want to share.
· The joy of community—writing is often solitary, but I have made WONDERFUL friends through critique groups and conferences.
· The joy of creating—which is at the heart of this for me. When I think about gathering what I’ve learned, all the things about a topic that have angered or saddened or inspired me, or made me laugh—and I take all of that and shape it into something new, to share with others, using words and the sounds of language—that’s magical to me.
Thank you so much, Cindy. Your passion for your writing really shines through. I wish you all the best on your future projects!!
Thanks, Mindy, for interviewing me. I hope this is helpful to your readers!
You can find out more about Cindy and her writing by visiting her website at www.cynthiaargentine.com
You can purchase her latest release STEAM Jobs in Cypersecurity on Amazon at this link.
In Quinn Says Goodbye, written by Christie Thomas and
illustrated by Sydney Hanson, Quinn meets a new friend, an injured firefly
named Blink. She and her mother help the firefly heal. Quinn doesn’t understand
why one evening, when she wakes up, Blink is gone. Mama is there to help
comfort Quinn and reassure her that God promises to always be with us.
Quinn Says Goodbye is designed to help children cope with grief and loss. It includes a section in the back with conversation starter questions for parents and caregivers, to assist with those difficult discussions that occur in life.
I thought Quinn Says Goodbye was a sweet story, and I loved the illustrations. Quinn’s big eyes!! And the use of light was really eye-appealing. I was inspired to make a Pinterest Board of Owls and FIreflies. Maybe you will like one of the pins and want to try a craft with your child. Here is the link to the board.
I had the opportunity to meet Christie at a writing conference in May. She is full of ideas and energy, with a contagious smile and laugh. I really enjoyed getting to know her!
Christie, I wish you all the best with this book and all of your writing endeavors!
You can purchase book on Amazon and at other book retailers.
Author Christie Thomas
About the author:
Christie Thomas writes about cultivating authentic faith in the home. She is the author of Quinn’s Promise Rock and the interactive devotional book Wise for Salvation. She has also written for various websites, including the MOB Society and For Every Mom. Christie lives in Alberta, Canada, with her husband and three boys. You can visit her website here.
I can’t believe it has been 25 years since college graduation! Time flies!
In honor of 25 years since graduation, a friend of mine (and fellow published author) Layne Ihde and I are teaming up and doing an event for kids and families at Taylor University Homecoming! I can’t wait!
Here is the description of the event:
Layne Ihde ’94 and Mindy (Anderson) Baker ’94 team up for a family-friendly Story Time and Sing-along at Taylor University Homecoming on October 5 at 3p.m. Layne will read his book Pippin, No Lickin’ and sing songs with the kids. Mindy will read her book Mouse’s Christmas Gift and do crafts with the kids. All ages welcome! Both books will be available for purchase before and after the event and can also be purchased on Amazon.com.
Layne’s Bio:
Layne Ihde ’94 writes stories. He has written and published forty songs, releasing three albums and two EPs internationally on independent labels, getting placement on television shows and performing across the country. He also writes sci fi and fantasy short stories and is working on a fantasy novel. He has written five children’s books, the first of which is Pippin No Lickin’ based on the life and fictitious adventures of his favorite pet cat. Layne Ihde lives in Nashville, TN with his wife and their cat, a white tabby named Lizzie. He feels it is the perfect place to foster and incubate his creativity and story writing in all its forms.
Pippin the cat wouldn’t take a bath. Because he wouldn’t, all kinds of funny (and stinky!) things start happening to him. In hilarious and unforgettable ways, Pippin is challenged with realizing his actions not only affect himself, but others, too. Will his parents and classmates get him to change his mind?
Pippin, No Lickin’ addresses the consequences of personal actions with young readers. This colorful and endearing story establishes with children that parental wisdom is for their own health and safety and helps them develop an understanding of selfishness. Pippin’s adventures even teach colors to very young readers along the way! Parents and children alike will enjoy this introduction to an immediately classic and memorable character in Pippin the cat.
My Bio:
Mindy (Anderson) Baker ‘94 was born in Sioux City, Iowa, and graduated from Taylor University. She has served alongside her husband in full-time Christian ministry for over twenty years. Mindy currently resides in Indiana with her husband and three children where she is a high school Spanish teacher. She is passionate about her faith, family, people, travel, books, and living life to the full.
In Mouse’s Christmas Gift, written by Mindy Baker and illustrated by Dow Phumiruk, one tiny church mouse must find a way to bring Christmas spirit to his little town when Parson gets sick and the usual Christmas Eve service is cancelled. Mouse never gives up hope as he prepares the nativity set and lights a small candle in the window to signal the villagers. Mouse’s small act of faith sparks a chain reaction of hope and love, demonstrating that even the smallest creature can make a big difference. This adorable book, with a cover adorned with foil and glitter, captures the spirit of Christmas and the joy of doing for others during the holiday season.
I’m beyond excited for my one of my critique partners, Cynthia Argentine! We meet monthly to encourage each other on with our writing. It has been a blast to watch this project become published!! Congratulations, Cynthia! I am so happy for you!!
Here is my review:
Technology is everywhere, and as this book explains, the technology field holds many future job opportunities. Jobs such as–a Cybersecurity consultant, Malware analyst, Cyber-Forensic Investigator, Security Software Developer, Information Security Administrator, Cybersecurity Engineer or Architect, Cybersecurity Lawyer, Cryptographer, Cyber Incident Responder, and Penetration Tester. Yet, it can be difficult to explain to kids what exactly those jobs are.
This book does a wonderful job of breaking down complex ideas into understandable language for young readers. It would make a great addition to any classroom library, as it will help students understand and become interested in future job opportunities in the cybersecurity field. In addition, there is a fascinating two page spread about the large security breaches that have occurred in recent years, and the author even included an interview from an expert at Purdue University. The book includes a pre-reading assignment for students as well as a post reading comprehension check with extension activity options that teachers are sure to love!
About the author:
Author Cynthia Argentine
Cynthia Argentine writes creative nonfiction for children and teens. She likes to discover amazing true stories and share them with readers. Most often, she writes about science, technology, and people who work in those fields.
Her love of nature stems from her childhood in Virginia. She grew up near the Chesapeake Bay and often explored the area by canoe. Later, she lived in Vermont, gardening in the summer and cross-country skiing in the winter. She has worked as an author, journalist, environmental consultant, and piano teacher.
Cynthia is curious about many things, from music and art to botany and history. She likes to explore both the abstract and the analytical, the poetic and the precise. She believes there is something interesting about nearly every topic. Learn more about her books and magazine articles at https://cynthiaargentine.com.
